Plastic containers with an external gas barrier coating, method and system for coating containers using vapor deposition, method for recycling coated containers, and method for packaging a beverage

US6599569B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• THE COCA-COLA COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Heinz Humele · Thalmässing, DE
• Herbert Pickel · Neutraubling, DE
• George Plester · Brussels, BE
• Horst Ehrich · Dorsten, DE
• Mark Rule · Kingsport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 20, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02W30/62
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A coated plastic container provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. A method and system for coating plastic containers includes applying a thin inorganic oxide layer to the external surface of the containers with plasma-assisted vacuum vapor deposition. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating is flexible and can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating firmly adheres to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container. A method of recycling coated plastic containers and a method and system for packaging a beverage using the coated containers are also disclosed.